Tag Futebol

Celtic are already building towards next season and could see plenty of movement in both directions once the summer window comes around at Parkhead.

Celtic begin to make inroads in the transfer market

While Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another remarkably successful season at Parkhead, the Irishman still has the small factor of focusing on winning a domestic treble before fully looking ahead to 2025/26.

After claiming the Scottish Premiership title, Premier Sports Cup and putting on a brave showing in the Champions League, he will hope his side have demonstrated more than enough appeal to prospective summer recruits.

Recently, Celtic have been linked with a move for Heart of Midlothian forward James Wilson. The Scotland international has enjoyed a breakout campaign at Tynecastle, though it remains to be seen whether he would be given first-team guarantees in Glasgow.

Sarpsborg star Sondre Ørjasæter has been on the Hoops’ radar since January, suggesting that bolstering the ranks from middle to front could be a key priority for Rodgers. Nevertheless, there will also be a number of departures to clear the decks for fresh blood to enter the fold, even if Celtic are likely to fight hard to hold on to key stars.

Related Only played 66 minutes: Celtic can fix Jota blow by unleashing young star

With Jota set to be sidelined for an extended period of time, Brendan Rodgers should give Celtic’s “absolutely brilliant” youngster an opportunity.

Posts ByBen Gray May 2, 2025

Daizen Maeda is attracting reported interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, signifying that high-profile sides may be casting an eye over a number of Hoops men ahead of next season. Now, further information has emerged regarding who could become Celtic’s early casualties and four players are now set to head through the exit door once their contracts expire.

Celtic set to part ways with four starlets this summer

According to The Daily Record, Celtic are set to part ways with Daniel Cummings, Joe Morrison, Alasdair Davidson and Lewis Dobbie, with the latter three not being retained by the Scottish champions.

Notably, Cummings has previously been offered a new contract by the Bhoys, but the Scotland Under-21 international has been frequently linked with a move to West Ham United after the Hammers saw a £500,000 bid turned down for the striker in January.

Celtic’s four departing youngsters in 2024/25

Daniel Cummings

Appearances: 37

Goals: 29

Assists: 0

Lewis Dobbie

Appearances: 26

Goals: 13

Assists: 0

Alasdair Davidson

Appearances: 10

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Joe Morrison

Appearances: 12

Clean sheets: 6

Goals conceded: 10

Seemingly, any efforts from Celtic to try and retain the prolific forward have fallen on deaf ears, and it remains to be seen whether a move to the London Stadium becomes a likely prospect in the summer months.

While there is an appetite from supporters to witness their academy system produce more talent for the first-team, it appears that none of the quartet mentioned will be household names at Parkhead.

Instead, they will focus on finding a steady path to senior involvement elsewhere, leaving Lennoxtown bosses to work with their existing pool of options.

Wednesday evening is a huge night for Liverpool football club, with the side having the opportunity to claim the Premier League title without even kicking a single ball.

Arne Slot will claim the trophy if second-placed Arsenal fall to a defeat against Crystal Palace at the Emirates, subsequently securing the Reds’ second league triumph in five years.

It would be a superb achievement for the Dutchman after taking the reins from Jürgen Klopp in the summer, producing a seamless transition which has played a huge role in their success.

However, when the title is in the bag, attention will certainly turn towards the summer, with additions and departures needed if the side are to sustain the success they’ve endured in recent months.

One area of the pitch in particular has been subject to huge attention, with key signings needed in such a department to take Slot’s side to the next level in 2025/26.

The latest on Liverpool’s pursuit of new attackers this summer

Over the last couple of days, news emerged that Liverpool are set to sell striker Darwin Núñez this summer, just a couple of years after his big-money move to Anfield.

Any funds generated will likely hand the club a decent chunk to splash on a new talisman, with Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké just one name touted with a move to Merseyside.

However, despite their interest, the Bundesliga side undoubtedly don’t want to lose their star man, subsequently hiking his price tag to a staggering €100m (£85m).

Such a decision could see the hierarchy return to the drawing board and go back in for fellow target Alexander Isak after previously registering interest in his services.

According to Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, the Reds are set to make a bid for the Swede this window, but won’t be stumping up the Magpies’ £150m asking price.

Why Liverpool’s top target would be a huge upgrade on Diogo Jota

Striker Diogo Jota cost the club a fee in the region of £45m back in the summer of 2020, looking to inject added quality within the final third under former boss Klopp.

The Portuguese international has been a phenomenal addition, registering 65 goals in his 178 appearances for the Reds on Merseyside – but has endured a decline in recent months.

The 28-year-old has only scored six league goals in 2024/25, starting just 13 matches, with injuries starting to hamper his progress and restricting him from playing a key role.

Such a record could see the hierarchy cash in on his services along with Nunez, further handing Slot with the added cash to make key additions in the final third.

As a result, the club could fork out a huge sum for Isak, with the current Newcastle star undoubtedly offering the Reds a huge upgrade on Jota ahead of 2025/26.

When comparing their respective figures from the Premier League this time around, it’s evident how much of a phenomenal addition he would be, adding a different dimension to the club’s star-studded attack.

Isak, who Anthony Gordon admitted is the “best striker in Europe”, has massively outscored Jota, whilst also posting a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical nature within the final third.

How Isak compares Jota in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Isak

Jota

Games played

30

22

Goals scored

21

6

Shot-on-target accuracy

41%

30%

Shots on target per 90

1.5

1.1

Pass accuracy

75%

70%

Successful dribbles

1.6

0.9

Dribble success

50%

38%

Stats via FotMob

He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst achieving a higher dribble success rate, offering Slot a more all-round presence at the top end of the pitch.

Given his form on Tyneside this campaign, it’s likely that competition will be fierce for his signature, but it’s crucial that the board back the manager to help him land one of their key targets.

Whilst a deal would likely cost upwards of £100m, it certainly would be money well spent, with the Swedish international arguably the final piece of the attacking puzzle after Mohamed Salah’s contract extension in recent weeks.

Related A new Van Dijk: Liverpool want to sign "the most in-demand CB in the world"

Liverpool are looking to sign a new central defender this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Apr 22, 2025

Tottenham have been given some encouragement over the prospect of signing a Brazil international as his agents work to find him a new club.

Tottenham targeting new attacker in January amid creativity issue

Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure at Tottenham just six months into his tenure, with serious questions surrounding the Dane’s future.

Spurs sit 11th in the table with just 19 points from 13 games, and their home record tells a catastrophic story.

With only one Premier League win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season, not to mention 10 home defeats this calendar year, they currently boast the joint-worst record in that regard in the club’s history.

Winless in five matches across all competitions, including losses to Arsenal, PSG and Fulham, their controversial 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Monday evening prevented a fourth straight defeat.

Cristian Romero rescued Frank with a dramatic stoppage-time overhead kick. The Argentine scored twice at St James’ Park, his header and acrobatic finish earning a vital point, and his heroics seriously spared Frank’s blushes.

Dressing room unrest is reportedly growing, with reports suggesting players are confused by Frank’s constant tactical tinkering.

Fabrizio Romano shares Thomas Frank update amid mounting Tottenham pressure

The reliable journalist has some information.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 4, 2025

Summer signing Xavi Simons symbolises Frank’s struggles. The £55 million playmaker has started just six league games, relegated to the bench for crucial fixtures despite Spurs’ creative drought, and former defender Ramon Vega has accused Frank of “changing his mind every two seconds.”

Frank apparently retains board backing until at least new year, but improvement must arrive quickly.

January reinforcements remain crucial, with FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa heavily linked alongside Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who has a tantalising £65 million release clause in his contract which will be active next month.

If Spurs cannot win the race for Semenyo amid interest from Man City, then RB Leizpig’s Yan Diomande is believed to be an alternative, with Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri reporting they’ve already held advanced discussions on the player’s side.

Tottenham given Rodrygo boost as agents work on Real Madrid exit

Now, according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, the north Londoners have been given a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

It is believed that Tottenham have emerged among the Premier League clubs that Rodrygo would consider joining, with his representatives actively working to secure a January departure from the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian has seen his situation deteriorate dramatically since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti over the summer, becoming the most high-profile casualty.

Only four of his 15 appearances this season have exceeded 45 minutes, with Rodrygo regularly deployed as an impact substitute and falling behind Arda Güler in the pecking order.

Intermediaries representing the 24-year-old are working diligently to identify potential destinations, with Arsenal and Liverpool already engaged in discussions.

Rodrygo himself has made clear he would welcome moves to Man City, Man United, Chelsea or Tottenham too, though currently only Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Spurs are actively monitoring his availability.

Real value him between £70-79 million, and the Spanish giants ideally want to retain Rodrygo until the summer, when Nico Paz’s expected return will likely accelerate his departure.

It isn’t an easy deal to do by any means, with Spurs potentially needing to break their transfer record whilst fending off elite competition from their rivals.

However, there is little doubt this would be a statement move by the Lewis family as they look to usher in a new era post-Daniel Levy.

It looked like a Cubs fan was taking "working remotely" to the next level at Wrigley Field on Tuesday afternoon.

During Chicago's matinee contest against the Milwaukee Brewers, cameras panned to a fan with a laptop—and a mouse—on his lap. Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies were on the call for Marquee Sports Network, and had a hilarious reaction:

"How badly did you want it? Did you bring your mouse? You better bring your mouse! … There's only one question: Is this guy doing work? Or, my other thought is, he's doing a fantasy football draft."

Check out the hilarious clip here:

Naturally, the fan sparked a social media frenzy, with fellow baseball fans cracking plenty of jokes about the hard worker. Check out some of the best reactions across X (formerly Twitter):

كسر ديكو، المدير الرياضي لنادي برشلونة، صمته وتحدث عن إمكانية عودة الأسطورة ليونيل ميسي من جديد إلى صفوف الفريق الكتالوني خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ميسي يلعب في صفوف إنتر ميامي في الوقت الحالي، وقد جدد الدولي الأرجنتيني عقده مع النادي الأمريكي في وقت سابق من هذا العام، وذلك إلى نهاية موسم 2028 المقبل.

ولكن ميسي قد ارتبط في أكثر من مناسبة بالعودة من جديد إلى صفوف برشلونة، قبل أن ينهي ديكو الجدل بشكل رسمي حول تلك الأخبار اليوم.

واعترف ديكو في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو، أنه من المستبعد بشكل واضح أن يعود ميسي مرة أخرى إلى برشلونة، ولا حتى على سبيل الإعارة.

وقال ديكو ردًا على فكرة ضم ميسي على سبيل الإعارة من إنتر ميامي: “لا أعتقد أن ذلك ممكن لأن ليو مرتبط بعقد ولم يطرح الأمر أصلًا، ليو هو ليو دائمًا ولا يزال بإمكانه المساهمة، إنه لاعب رائع لكننا لن نتحدث عن هذا الأمر، الوضع الحالي مجرد تكهنات”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديكو يوضح موقف برشلونة من ضم صفقات جديدة في يناير كما أبدى ديكو حبه وتقديره الكبير لميسي، حيث أضاف الدولي البرتغالي السابق: ”بالنسبة لي، ليو هو أفضل لاعب في تاريخ النادي إلى جانب يوهان كرويف ورونالدينيو، من الطبيعي كوني من هذا الجيل ألا أنسى ليو”.

وعن المقارنة بين ميسي ونجم برشلونة الحالي، لامين يامال، أوضح ديكو: “إنهما في مرحلتين مختلفتين ولاعبان مختلفان، كلاهما يتفوق على البقية من حيث إدراكهما للأمور”.

واختتم: ”نشأ ليو في بيئة لم يكن فيها تحت ضغط أو حاجة للأضواء لأنه لم يكن وقته بينما نشأ لامين في بيئة مختلفة، في برشلونة في مرحلة إعادة الإعمار بينما نشأ ليو في فريق راسخ، بمتوسط ​​أعمار 26-27 عامًا، شق ميسي طريقه تدريجيًا، لقد أثار ليو فضولي وذهبت لمشاهدة الفريق الرديف لأراه يلعب، كانت جودته رائعة”.

Four match referees and 14 umpires form the 18-member group that will officiate in India and Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-2025The upcoming women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka will feature an all-female line-up of match officials. On Thursday, the ICC announced the panel of four match referees and 14 umpires, featuring women from nine countries for the tournament that runs from September 30 to November 2.The match referees are Trudy Anderson (New Zealand), Shandre Fritz (South Africa), GS Lakshmi (India) and Michell Pereira (Sri Lanka).The on-field and TV umpires are Sue Redfern (England), Claire Polosak and Eloise Sheridan (Australia), Candace la Borde and Jacqueline Williams (West Indies), Kim Cotton (New Zealand), Sarah Dambanevana (Zimbabwe), Shathira Jakir Jesy (Bangladesh), Kerrin Klaaste and Lauren Agenbag (South Africa), N Janani, Vrinda Rathi and Gayathri Venugopalan (India) and Nimali Perera (Sri Lanka).Related

• Australia ready to embrace 'little bit of unknowns' at ODI World Cup

• Ticket sales begin for 2025 women's ODI World Cup

• Record USD 13.88 million prize money for women's ODI WC

Among them, Polosak, Williams and Redfern will be appearing in their third women’s ODI World Cups, while Agenbag and Cotton will be at their second.Three recent events – the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the two most recent women’s T20 World Cups – also featured all-female panels of match officials.

Panel of match officials

Match referees: Trudy Anderson, Shandre Fritz, GS Lakshmi, Michelle Pereira
Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Candace la Borde, Kim Cotton, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, Janani N, Nimali Perera, Claire Polosak, Vrinda Rathi, Sue Redfern, Eloise Sheridan, Gayathri Venugopalan, Jacquline Williams

“This marks a defining moment in the journey of women’s cricket, one that we hope will pave the way for many more trailblazing stories across all facets of the sport,” ICC president Jay Shah said in a statement. “The inclusion of an all-women panel of match officials is not only a major milestone but also a powerful reflection of the ICC’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equity across cricket.”This development goes beyond symbolic value. It is about visibility, opportunity, and the creation of meaningful role models who can inspire future generations. By highlighting excellence in officiating on the global stage, we aim to spark aspiration and reinforce that leadership and impact in cricket know no gender.”We are honoured to recognise a new chapter in the growth of the women’s game. We believe the influence of this initiative will resonate far beyond this tournament, motivating more women worldwide to pursue officiating careers and helping redefine what’s possible within the game.”The 13th women’s ODI World Cup begins with hosts India and Sri Lanka facing off on September 30. Defending champions Australia will take on New Zealand on October 1. Each team will play the other seven teams once with the top four moving into the semi-finals.The matches will be played in Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, Navi Mumbai and Colombo with the final scheduled for November 2.

He wanted to continue batting but was taken off the field by India A coach and the physio

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2025Rishabh Pant gave India a brief injury scare ahead of next week’s first Test against South Africa in Kolkata by having to retire hurt while batting for India A against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.During the first session of the third day, Pant was struck three times – on his body and helmet – by fast bowler Tshepo Moreki, forcing him to retire hurt on 17 off 22 balls in the 34th over of India A’s second innings.However, he allayed fears of serious injury by returning to bat in the final session, after Harsh Dubey put on 184 for the sixth wicket with Dhruv Jurel, who made an unbeaten 127. Pant took on the spinners, racing to a half-century before declaring India A’s innings on 382 for 7. He was dismissed for 65 when he top-edged a slog sweep off left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds to the wicketkeeper.Pant had walked out to bat at No. 5 in the third over of the day after overnight batter KL Rahul was bowled for 27 – he added just one to his overnight score – by an inducker from Okuhle Cele. Pant didn’t take long to get going, his first three scoring shots were 4, 4 and 6 – all off Cele – but a series of short deliveries left him wincing in pain.Related

Dhruv Jurel makes case for India Test spot with twin hundreds against South Africa A

Kamboj, Suthar take India A home after Pant 90

Rishabh Pant returns to India's Test squad

While Pant was keen to continue batting, he had to be taken off by India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and the physios as a precautionary measure. He was grimacing in pain every time the ball thudded into his bat, and his range of motion was limited due to some taping on his elbow after being hit there.The first blow Pant suffered was to the helmet when he attempted a reverse pick-up shot off Moreki, who had bowled a short ball from around the stumps. Pant was off balance at the point of impact and immediately fell to the ground, forcing the physios to conduct a mandatory concussion test. Once cleared, he pulled out from his stance to take his helmet off and gather himself before taking strike.The second blow had Pant groaning as the ball thudded into his right elbow as he shaped to play a short-arm jab. This time, the physio administered some pain-relief spray and taped the elbow. The third blow to the abdomen from a delivery that cut back in off the seam eventually forced the management to take Pant off the field.Having proved form and fitness with a 90 in the second innings of the first four-day fixture that India A won last week, Pant has had a more challenging time in the second game. In the first innings, he was rapped on the glove by a short ball from Moreki and caught at slip for 24.At the toss of the second game, Pant had kept an exact count of the number of days he’d been away for – 98 – while recovering from a fractured toe after being hit by Chris Woakes during the fourth India-England Test in Manchester in July.He spent two months in rehab at the Centre of Excellence following surgery, and resumed training in early September before playing for India A to get some match time ahead of the South Africa Tests. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel kept wickets during the two home Tests against West Indies as well as the fifth Test at The Oval, which India won to level the five-Test series at 2-2.India play two Tests against South Africa from November 14 in Kolkata, and then from November 22 in Guwahati, a city that will be hosting Test cricket for the first time. India are currently third in the World Test Championship table with 61.90% points; South Africa, meanwhile, are fifth with 50% points.

As the only Omani national in their Asia Cup squad, he faced different challenges on his way to the top

Shashank Kishore14-Sep-2025For Sufyan Mehmood, 33, playing in the Asia Cup carries an extra layer of pride. He is the only Omani national in the current squad, a distinction that fills him with great honour.A seam-bowling allrounder known for his accuracy and lower-order hitting, Mehmood would have been in the UK studying – perhaps he might have even had a corporate career – if his father had his wishes. But Mehmood chose to decline an admission to Loughborough University to pursue business administration because he wanted to play cricket.”Unlike others who come to Oman to make a career, I didn’t have those challenges,” Mehmood told ESPNcricinfo. “I had all the comforts, and didn’t have to worry about building a life. But my challenges were different.Related

The standing ovation that made Aamir Kaleem's long journey worth it

UAE and Oman look to end losing streaks in Abu Dhabi showdown

Alishan Sharafu is learning from the best and using it to make UAE better

Oman's Jatinder: I remember telling my wife it was time to retire

“Everyone in my family were academically inclined. My older brother is a dentist at the health ministry, my younger brother is a petroleum engineer, [and] my younger sister is also a dentist who runs a private practice. My father grew up the ranks from being a salesman to now being CEO of a company he joined nearly 30 years ago.”Now, I guess you can understand what my challenges were: how to convince my family I wanted to play cricket in a country that didn’t have a culture. But ever since I started, I saw kids in school taking up this new sport, and wanted to play it.”Mehmood first made the Oman Under-15s, he said, in “2005 or 2006 – I can’t remember”. What he does recall, though, is that on his first tour, to Thailand, he was the Player of the Match in just his second outing. “It was against Iran, I was 14 years old.”From there, he made the Under-17s, and was finally part of the national squad in 2009. “The depth wasn’t as much, so if you did well in one or two games, you could progress,” he said. “Straight off that Under-19 tour, I played for the senior team.”Sufyan Mehmood: “Domestic cricket in Oman is basically corporate cricket”•Sufyan MehmoodThat must have been a massive moment in his young career, but because games were far and few, the significance of that moment dissipated very quickly.”When I started playing cricket, I didn’t know that we would play a World Cup one day,” he said. My parents wanted me to study. So after rejecting my offer from Loughborough University, I enrolled in an Omani university that was affiliated to another UK university – at least temporarily my dad was pacified,” he said with a laugh. “I would manage my classes, speak to my professors, tell them I had matches, and cover it up later. They supported me well.”But staying back in Oman meant figuring out an alternate career too, outside of cricket.”Domestic cricket here is basically corporate cricket,” he said. “Companies will have their teams in the premier division, they will hire you and give you a job.”In my first year, I couldn’t find any job, so I just found one job outside cricket, in an event management company. I played after working [for] hours. After that year, I got an offer from Enhance, who had a cricket team. I worked for them for four-five years in the HR department before moving to Renaissance Services, where I lead the cricket side. We’ve won two trophies in the last two years under me.””Against India in the Emerging Asia Cup [in October 2024], I took Nehal Wadhera’s wicket and got him bowled”•Sufyan MehmoodIn 2015, Mehmood had his first big taste of top-flight cricket when he was part of the Oman squad that qualified for the 2016 T20 World Cup in India. In 2021, too, he was part of the squad when Oman hosted the first leg of the tournament. In last year’s T20 World Cup, Mehmood was part of the reserves. That he was in the reserves is because much of his 2023 went in recovering from a meniscus tear, which meant he didn’t have much game time.”And I didn’t have enough form to carry with me in the limited games,” he said. “In Oman, most doctors told me to get operated. But I went to Mumbai to meet Dinshaw Pardiwala, the same doctor who had treated Rishabh Pant after his accident. He told me I didn’t need surgery. I just had to do strengthening, and be meticulous with my physiotherapy and rehab for two-three months. I followed his advice, and I was fine.”Through all this, Mehmood held on to one belief: never give up. “It would have been easy for anyone to give up at any stage I went through, both career-wise, [and] cricket-wise – especially in a country where cricket is not a national sport,” he said.

“After the World Cups, they saw cricket was growing in Oman. Now they ask me how much I scored, [and] how many wickets I took. They might even come [to] watch me in the Asia Cup. They are excited.”Sufyan Mehmood on his family getting interested in cricket

Even now, the Asia Cup feels like a new chapter. “The last year has been really good. In the ODI series in the USA [in the Cricket World Cup League 2], I scored 72 against them and took three wickets. Against India in the Emerging Asia Cup [in October 2024], I took Nehal Wadhera’s wicket and got him bowled.”Against Pakistan, I dismissed Umair Bin Yusuf, and hit a six off Imran Khan Jr. I even spoke to players like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Just sharing thoughts on cricket felt special.”His family, once hesitant, is now firmly behind him. “After the World Cups, they saw cricket was growing in Oman,” he said with a smile. “Now they ask me how much I scored, [and] how many wickets I took. They might even come [to] watch me in the Asia Cup. They are excited.”For Mehmood, being a cricketer is no longer about proving anyone wrong. As the only Omani-born player in the team, he knows what his presence means.”See, it feels great because I know how much struggle I went through to reach this stage, not the typical struggle to settle and be financially independent, but the struggle to prove myself and get an identity. I never had a proper coach, [and] no real facilities. I learned by watching YouTube videos. That is why I am proud of this journey.”

From comebacks to spin questions, Litton Das and Scott Edwards eye answers before bigger competitions around the corner

Abhijato Sensarma29-Aug-2025Litmus test for skipper LittonWhile the T20 World Cup early next year remains a focus for Bangladesh, it is some way down the horizon. They will be looking at this series to tighten their own line-up for the more immediate T20 Asia Cup, set to begin on September 9 in the UAE.That tournament will be the first major assignment for captain Litton Das, in charge of the T20I side since earlier this year. He has already shepherded them to their maiden T20I series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and will be expected to extend the winning streak before the Asia Cup.Nurul Hasan has been in the middle of a purple patch in T20s•GSL/Getty ImagesBangladesh’s comeback menThe series is also a storyof comebacks on both sides. Bangladesh have recalled wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan and top-order batter Saif Hassan, both of whom last played for Bangladesh over two years ago.Nurul has accumulated 514 runs in the 2024-25 season across T20 leagues, and also led Rangpur Riders to the inaugural Global Super League title in 2024. Saif, meanwhile, struck a couple of impressive half-centuries at the recent Top End T20s in Australia. They will be looking to push for spots in the first XI.Scott Edwards will be without two of his key allrounders from the Europe qualifiers•Matthew Lewis/ICC/Getty ImagesUnfamiliar territory for NetherlandsThey won the Europe qualifier for the 2026 T20 World Cup earlier this year, but were set to play in subcontinental conditions only when they landed in India for the World Cup next year. Game time in the region has been rare for them. In Bangladesh, too, they have only ever played once before, way back in the 2014 T20 World Cup.The pitches in Bangladesh have made for lower-scoring encounters than the ones in India in the recent past. Nonetheless, this tour will allow Netherlands to start figuring out their best combination on surfaces quite different to the ones they played on to win the Europe qualifiers.Bas de Leede misses this tour but should be back for the World Cup•AFP/Getty ImagesNetherlands are without their starsA couple of spots in Netherlands’ eventual World Cup squad might be reserved for two of their top allrounders – Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe – who could not make it to this tour because of their County commitments. Both played major roles in the Europe qualifiers. But left-hand opener Vikramjit Singh (dropped for the qualifiers), right-arm quick Sebastiaan Braat (last played in 2021), and allrounder Sikander Zulfiqar (in 2019) will be looking to back up their recent domestic numbers as they fill up the vacant spots.In unfamiliar conditions, a lot of the responsibility for leading the side might fall on the shoulders of their captain and middle-order lynchpin, Scott Edwards.Rishad Hossain’s form has dipped of late•AFP/Getty ImagesSpin headache for BangladeshBangladesh will be less than thrilled with their incumbents in the spin department. While their pacers have been impressive on their way to 51 wickets in T20Is in 2025 – 60.71% of all wickets they have taken this year – their spinners have had uneven returns.After a spell out of the XI, Mahedi Hasan made a comeback in the final T20I against Sri Lanka, and took 4 for 11 to bowl them to victory. His numbers were less remarkable in the series against Pakistan, where he took just three wickets at an average of 32.66 and an economy of 8.90.Rishad Hossain, the legspinner who is also a handy bat, has not been as potent either in 2025 with an average of 32.70 and an economy of 8.75.With the only other bowler who bowls spin in the side being Nasum Ahmed, who hasn’t played T20Is this year, Bangladesh will be hoping the spinners up their game if they are to mount a serious title challenge in the Asia Cup or next year’s T20 World Cup.

For all the flutter the revelation of the plan has created, it remains to be seen how far it will go if the BCCI isn’t on board

Osman Samiuddin19-Mar-2025Plans for a new Grand-Slam-style circuit of T20 tournaments, with financial backing from Saudi Arabia, based on a blueprint drawn up by player associations, represents a bold attempt at an incursion into cricket by forces outside the closed shop that is traditional cricket governance.But for the all the flutter the revelation of the plan has created, it remains to be seen how far it will go if it fails to co-opt, or at least interest, the organisation that holds the key to cricket’s biggest market: the BCCI.Talk of a Saudi Arabian entry into cricket is not new, of course. It’s been a fixture for two years, with only the precise mode of entry a variable: a stake in an IPL franchise, an entirely new league, an unspecified but wholesale takeover of the sport, take your pick. Meanwhile, the country’s actual entry has been far more gradual. Sponsorships at the IPL, a partnership tied up with the ICC and, most recently and definitely most prominently, as host of the IPL auction.Related

ILT20 games in future seasons could be held in Saudi Arabia

IPL chair Dhumal: Saudi want to invest in cricket – but we've had no proposals

Protected international windows on WCA wishlist for 'sustainable future' of cricket

Saudi Arabia dipping its toes into cricket might be the start of something big

World Cricketers Association hopes to find solution to 'broken and unsustainable' cricket schedule

It’s about time, some will argue, given its impact on other major sports. It’s always been a footballing nation – a major Asian force – but it is its forays into boxing, tennis, F1, MMA and golf that have signalled its wider intentions to become a sporting force.At the moment, there is little detail to these plans. Seven to eight teams from around the world, playing four tournaments in a year, each tournament envisaged to last 10-12 days. These are early sketches with little detail on how such tournaments will fit into what is already a calendar bursting at the seams. For it to be incorporated successfully, it would almost certainly need to cause collateral damage, most likely to some formats of international cricket, such as context-less bilateral ODIs and T20Is. Which countries will be involved? And which teams will they send? National sides, as seems to be one suggestion, or those from already established T20 franchise leagues (and so, is this a revival of the Champions League?), or some other elite geographical representation?The IPL apart, how many leagues have actually brought in big broadcast money?•BCCIAs significant as the involvement of SRJ Sports Investments, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s sports arm, is that of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). The idea is said to be the brainchild of Neil Maxwell, the former NSW and Victoria all-rounder and former ACA board member who is now a prominent player manager. It’s been brewing since at least last year, if not earlier. The ACA has confirmed to the that it was behind the idea: “The ACA’s early interest in exploring this concept is motivated by a desire to develop and normalise best-practice collective bargaining and an international gender-equity pay model for male and female cricketers. And to develop a competition creating value for distribution to cricket’s governing bodies to protect and subsidise Test cricket and the continuing growth of the women’s game for all nations.”WCA, which has been advocating for change to the broken international calendar for a number of years, is believed to be taking the lead on plans now. It as offered no comment on the matter, but is busy at the moment with something not entirely unrelated: a comprehensive review of the game’s global structure, the results of which it is due to release imminently. Is more cricket the answer? No, but perhaps the first player-led tournaments in the cricket calendar, somewhat like tennis’ ATP, is (although the tour is currently the subject of a lawsuit by players).This is not unimportant. Players are at the sharpest end of the impossibilities of this calendar and have been vocal about needing change. Given the player associations involved, some of the world’s leading players will be behind this. But this won’t be exactly like the ATP, because the plans also envisage a stake for the ICC. According to some accounts, Danny Townsend, the chief executive of SRJ, is believed to have interacted with Jay Shah on the sidelines of the IPL auction and brought up, albeit briefly, these plans. It would suggest that Saudi Arabia does not want to make the kind of turbulent and disruptive entry into cricket that it has in golf, for example, where it has created a parallel circuit altogether.The talk so far has been that revenue from the circuit will be split in some formulation between SRJ, the player associations and the ICC. The ACA’s statement acknowledges that earnings will find a way back to governing bodies, in the hopes that Test cricket can be subsidised.That revenue, of course, will be the thing because it isn’t clear how and how much of it such a league can generate. The IPL apart, how many leagues have actually brought in big broadcast money? And there are plenty of signs that cricket’s broadcast rights market may have peaked and that the ecosystem is now under stress, as the ongoing tension between the ICC and JioStar over their rights deal suggests. The Saudis can put in the kind of money to start up a league, but what are the prospects of making it – and much more – back?Saudi Arabia’s most prominent incursion into cricket so far was its hosting of the IPL 2025 player auction•BCCIAnd, of course, the reality is that, for that to happen, the circuit will need Indian players. That is why Shah was sought out at the IPL auction, given he was BCCI secretary at the time, as well as the ICC chair-elect. Few things of this magnitude can happen successfully in cricket without Shah – or the BCCI – buying into it. And why would the BCCI buy into a concept that, in its fullest ambitions, actually rivals the IPL?The earliest noises from another major board have been of extreme scepticism. The ECB’s chief executive Richard Gould has told the unequivocally “there is no scope or demand for such an idea,” emboldened, no doubt, by the injection of a half-billion-pound private equity bounty into the Hundred. Other member boards could be swayed by the prospect of another revenue stream, but the bottom line is, if the BCCI is not on board with the plan, a big broadcast deal becomes that much more difficult.A final point to ponder is the idea of the WCA and the ICC working together. The WCA has become increasingly – and justifiably – frustrated with the way the game is being run by the ICC and its members. When it launched its review into the structure, the chair Heath Mills said it had “given up hope” that the game’s leaders could establish a “clear and coherent structure” housing both international cricket and domestic leagues.The relationship has, at times, been adversarial. A number of full members, including the BCCI and PCB, don’t even have player associations. Both the ICC and WCA recently sparred over the former’s use of player image rights. It led to WCA signing a long-term deal with Winners Alliance (an affiliate of the Novak-Djokovic-backed Professional Tennis Players Association, the body currently suing the ATP), which will negotiate collective commercial deals for players who are members of WCA-affiliated players’ associations. A player-led league would be a win for the WCA, but how easy is it going to be when a lot of those players remain contracted to the various member boards that constitute the ICC?It’s almost inevitable that Saudi Arabian money will come into the game. It has broken through into most other major sports and given that attracting Indian tourism remains a key goal, cricket is an obvious in. It’s just far from certain whether this is that way in.